Office Tweaks

Weighing Google Web Apps vs MS Office

by Jerome Locson on August 13th, 2007

Just recently, Fortune Small Business Features raised this question:

Which package of tools work best for a small business — Google apps or Microsoft Office 2007? That’s the question we discuss in our article “Does Google’s free ride beat Vista?” Do you have experience with either, or both? Comment here on your experiences to help other entrepreneurs.

It is an interesting issue, maybe not to many but to Google Fanatics who uses still the king of office suites — Microsoft Office, and this may even rise eyebrows for MS Office enthusiast who can not do their documents and presentations without it. They may ask why compare when one is obviously powerful than the other? Google Web Apps with MS Office? Come on! Just for the sake of the argument or question raised, let us do a little comparison.

GOOGLE WEB APPS

• Google Docs & Spreadsheet - Online and Free. Can handle basic document editing which includes text formatting and image. Has multiple saving options as to what type of document (e.g. word, RTF, HTML, PDF, text, etc..). Easy backup. The drawback is that it can only be accessed with an Internet connection.
• Gmail & Calendar - again, both are free. They have a powerful search functionalities, flexing web interface. Drawback — accessible only online.

MS OFFICE 2007

• MS Word, Excel, Outlook - as all know that MS Office Suite has been there aiding our personal and business needs. MS Word has this powerful layouting of document elements like images, tables, graphs, etc. Excel just excels with its functionalities. With the recent version 2007, many is not yet used with the sleek interface and appeal. That’s normal for an introduction to that version. The big big drawback with MS Office is that it is worth $$$.

In my opinion, there is no reason to compare. With Google Apps at its beta stages, we cannot tell what’s in future for them. Yet, we can say that some functionalities are not offered with Google Apps, let us see its longterm benefits. I may sound bias but as a user of both, I can say that there is more in store for rich web applications. Specially with the launching of ADOBE AIR which aims to bring web apps to your desktops. It is near to reality. So, let’s sit back and wait for their development and we’re here to feed you with updates and tips along the way.

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POSTED IN: File Formats, General, Microsoft, Office 12, User Experience, Webtop Apps